How To Record The Screen On Your Windows PC or Mac

Sometimes you need to record your screen—whether it’s to show a friend how to do something, create a tutorial, or even capture an epic gaming moment. But if you’ve never done it before, it can seem a little tricky. Don’t worry, though! In this post, I’ll walk you through how to record your screen on both Windows PCs and Macs. You’ll be up and running in no time, no matter which system you’re using.

Recording Your Screen on Windows

Windows has a built-in tool for screen recording, so no need to download any extra software. The tool is part of the Xbox Game Bar, but don’t let the name fool you—it works for more than just games. Here’s how to use it:

Open Xbox Game Bar
Press the Windows key + G on your keyboard. This will open the Xbox Game Bar, which looks like a toolbar overlay on your screen. If it doesn’t open, you may need to enable it first. Go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and make sure the toggle is on.
Start Recording
Once the Game Bar is open, you’ll see a bunch of widgets. Look for the one that says Capture (it looks like a little camera icon). Click the Record button (a circle) to start recording. You can also use the shortcut Windows key + Alt + R to start and stop recording quickly.
Stop Recording
To stop recording, click the Stop button in the Capture widget, or press Windows key + Alt + R again. Your recording will automatically be saved in the Videos > Captures folder on your PC.

Bonus Tip: Recording Just an App Window

The Xbox Game Bar only records specific windows (like your browser or a game), not the entire screen. So if you want to record your desktop or multiple windows, you’ll need a different tool, like OBS Studio (which is free, by the way).

Recording Your Screen on a Mac

If you’re using a Mac, Apple has made screen recording super simple with QuickTime Player and the built-in screenshot toolbar (if you’re on macOS Mojave or later). Let’s break down both options.

Using the Screenshot Toolbar (macOS Mojave and Later)

Open the Toolbar
Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard. A small toolbar will appear at the bottom of your screen with several options for taking screenshots and recording your screen.
Choose Recording Type
You can record the entire screen or just a selected portion. Click on either the Record Entire Screen button or the Record Selected Portion button (which lets you draw a box around what you want to capture).
Start Recording
After you’ve chosen your recording area, click Record. You’ll see a small stop button in the menu bar at the top of your screen, letting you know the recording is in progress.
Stop Recording
When you’re done, click the stop button in the menu bar, or press Command + Control + Esc. Your recording will automatically be saved to your desktop.

Using QuickTime Player (All macOS Versions)

Open QuickTime Player
You can find QuickTime Player in your Applications folder or by searching for it using Spotlight (Command + Space).
Start a New Screen Recording
Click File in the menu bar, then select New Screen Recording. A small window will pop up with a record button.
Begin Recording
Click the record button. You’ll be prompted to either click to record the entire screen or drag to record a selected portion.
Stop Recording
To stop, click the stop button in the menu bar, just like with the screenshot toolbar. Your file will be saved, and you can play it back right in QuickTime.

Which Method Is Right for You?

If you’re on Windows and just need something simple, the Xbox Game Bar should do the trick. For Mac users, the built-in screenshot toolbar is the easiest option, though QuickTime Player works just as well. Both systems make it easy, so you don’t have to worry about installing any complicated software.

Recording your screen might sound complicated, but once you know the steps, it’s a breeze! Now you’re ready to create tutorials, share funny moments, or show off your skills. If you run into any hiccups or have specific questions, feel free to ask in the comments—I’m here to help!